After Care
Keep it clean, Keep it dry.
Healing
After you are home from your appointment, gently remove your bandage or cellophane wrap under running, lukewarm water. Using your hand and unscented soap, gently wash the tattoo until the water runs clear and all soap has been removed. Exfoliants or rough items such as a wash cloth or luffa, should not be used during the healing process. The skin will be sensitive and these items can damage your tattoo’s scab while skin the heals.
Once clean, let the skin air dry.
At this stage you may choose to apply ointment to the skin. If so, ensure the skin is dry first. Use a very thin layer of ointment that will fully absorb into the skin.
After a scab has formed over your tattoo, continue to keep it clean and dry. You may choose to apply an unscented lotion 1 to 2 times a day to alleviate tightness and itching. Only use a small amount that fully absorbs into your skin. Do not let moisture from lotion, water, sweat etc. sit on the scab for long periods of time. This can lead issues during the healing process.
Protect your scab, do not scratch or pick at the scab. Allow the scab to fall off naturally as the skin heals. The new skin will be sensitive at this stage, continue to moisturize and avoid long periods of exposure to direct sunlight.
Itching during the healing process is very normal. However if at any point during the healing process your tattoo becomes inflamed, swollen or forms puss, seek medical attention from a heath care provider.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do not go swimming, hot tubbing, or have baths until the tattoo is fully healed. (It is best to avoid submerging the tattoo in water for long periods of time until the tattoo is fully healed)
Shower regularly to keep your tattoo clean.
Avoid exfoliants until your tattoo is fully healed.
Use unscented products during the healing process.
Wear loose fitting clothing to reduce friction on your skin during the healing stage.
Avoid direct sunlight (its best not to sunburn a fresh tattoo)
Use sunscreen on your tattoos AFTER it is fully healed.
Resume your regular skin care routine AFTER the tattoo is fully healed.
Contact a medical professional if your tattoo becomes inflamed, swollen or forms puss.
After, After Care
As time goes on, it is normal for a tattoo to change including fading, blurring and spreading. To minimize this, continue to care for your skin after the tattoo has healed by regularly moisturizing, keeping it covered or applying SPF 30 or higher if you will be in the sun.
Tattoo ink stays suspended in the dermis ( the inner layer of the two main layers of skin) and is held there by two types of blood cells called macrophage and fibroblast cells; they bind to the ink particles. When these cells die they are reabsorbed by new cells. This is how the ink is held in your skin but can potentially lead to a faded-looking tattoo, if the renewal process happens too rapidly. This can be caused by excess friction, exfoliation or injury to the skin of the tattoo.